Local Educators Get Break From No Child Left Behind

Local educators will get a break from the No Child Left Behind Act, the highly debated federal law criticized for its one-size-fits-all approach to measuring success.

President Barack Obama announced that Massachusetts will receive a waiver from some of the 10-year-old legislation's toughest requirements in exchange for a state-developed plan. 

A main goal of NCLB was for all students to have reached proficiency in English and math by 2014. In this state, proficiency is measured through Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exams. In its presentation to the U.S. Dept. of Education, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education officials noted that federally, 90 percent of districts across the country are not meeting proficiency goals.

Unlike some larger communities, Westborough has largely been immune from the challenges presented from NCLB. On the 2011 MCAS exam, 94 percent of Westborough tenth graders met proficiency requirements on the English and Language Arts exam and 91 percent of tenth grade students met proficiency requirements on the Math exam.

Under the state plan, which is available on the state education department's website, educators have proposed reducing the proficiency gap in half by the 2016-2017 school year.

The U.S. DOE invited educational agencies last year to request flexibility from the regulations, in exchange for comprehensive state-developed plans. The state in November 2011 submitted a request, which was sent back to them with questions. Officials were notified this week that their second, resubmitted application was approved.

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